JPAM Rope Rescue Technician Course

Recently, Jabatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (JPAM), Kuala Lumpur held our Rope Rescue Technician Course. This was a basic level specialisation training. A total of 29 participants attended the 3 days course. I was on board as part of the Technical Crew, in charged of safety and photography.

THE TECHNICAL CREW

Our Home

The technical crew as always was self reliant. We packed our stuff in 2 jalopies (4WD), mine and Sham's, which apart from our PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), climbing equipments & ropes, medical kit, survival kit....includes our ration & cooking utensils. We had our place somewhere in a remote area of the campsite. Since we had our cooking team to cook the main course, we had our own special menu such as mushroom soup, french toast, sausages, fried mee at times when we had to mobilise early and also at the waterfall where we had to stay the whole day. Kerja berat, makan pun mesti berat....

The team

One thing about the Technical Team, it comprises of a good mix of young and the 'not so young', the strong and the 'not so strong' etc etc. Since we have been together in numerous trainings and actual disasters/operations, team work was almost seem less, tasks get done without much talking....and no one complains...whether hungry or in pain.

Scenario Preparation

THE TRAINING SCENARIOS

The participants were broken up into 2 teams, namely Alpha and Bravo. The main scenario on Saturday was to carry the trauma dummy (the size of an adult male and weights 80kg) through 2km of jungle and ravines, up to the base of the waterfall. The dummy was then 'placed' at 1/3 length from the top of the waterfall. The teams were required to 'rescue' the dummy using the best technique possible and using what ever resources available.

After that, the teams were to carry back the dummy through 2km of jungle and ravines back to base camp. The track was treacherous, slippery, with one stretch having to wade through water. They arrived at base camp around 2030hrs. I was taking a bath when they informed us that a few participants collapsed. The technical crew rushed to assist. 6 people collapsed and had to be transported to Ampang Hospital. After IV drips, and 2 hours observation at the Accident & Emergency, they were 'discharged'. We offered to send them back home, but they refused. They wanted to stay on to complete the course. Bravo guys..and gals.

Phase 1

The next morning, it was scenario simulation 2, where it is a combination of SAR (Search & Rescue) and Rope Rescue techniques. The Technical crew had hid the trauma dummy in a specific area and it is the task of the teams to search and locate the dummy.

Phase 2

Of course there is no such thing as an easy 'incident area'. After much packing, the candidates were allowed to enter the training zone.Upon locating the 'patient' tucked away under fallen branches, the teams were requested to 'pack' the victim while rendering first aid.

Phase 3

The teams were then required to 'transport' the victim back to base camp. Of course the Technical Crew were very generous with the amount of mental pressure exerted on them. This was not due to ragging, but as rescuers, in real life situations, they are required to perform under tremendous stress.

While we were there, we met a few groups of school kids on a day trip to the waterfall, accompanied by some army personnel. I had some fun taking snap shots of them. Of course during this time we refrain from taking any water from the area to cook or drink...just in case...I didn't see any of them going off for any toilet breaks, and the water was cold...haha.

Next training would be my part...water rescue & scuba